George Kambosos has scoffed at suggestions he’s had anything to do with the ongoing visa issues of Devin Haney’s father and lead trainer Bill ahead of their undisputed lightweight title bout next month.
Kambosos (20-0) and Haney (27-0) are each looking to become the first undisputed champion at 135-pounds in the four-belt era when they meet at Marvel Stadium on June 5th.
Haney however will have to do it without two key members of his corner, after his father, on account of a prior drug conviction, as well as trainer Ben Davison, both failed to secure travel visas.
As it stands, Yoel Judah, the father of two-weight world champion Zab Judah, will instead be in Haney’s corner for the fight.
Some of Haney’s fans have since accused the Kambosos camp of foul play, suggesting they played a part in Bill Haney’s visa issue.
“That whole situation is really out of my control. I don't run the government here. I'm not the Prime Minister here,” Kambosos told Sporting News.
“I've tried to show some support and see if we can get him in but, at the end of the day, I don't make them decisions.
“It is what it is. You signed up to fight in Australia and unfortunately, if there is a conviction back in the day, then they're going to take the time with the visa.
“Let's hope he gets in and let's hope everything goes to plan because there'll be many excuses.”
Kambosos, 28, also confirmed team Haney had made a request for the Aussie boxer to use a different corner in order to “level the playing field.”
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That approach was unsurprisingly knocked back.
“It’s your problem, it's not my problem,” Kambosos said.
“I'm here, I'm ready to fight, and my team and corner are here in Australia and we're ready for the fight.
“At the end of the day, I can’t help you, I’ve tried my best. I'm not the Prime Minister.
“If I was, I’d let you in but that's on you now. You get that sorted and hopefully you do get in and there's no excuses after this.”
Next month’s fight with be Kambosos’ first on Australian soil since 2017, having earned the right to host the historic bout when he took hometown favourite Teofimo Lopez’s WBA, IBF, WBO, WBC “franchise” and The Ring belts off him at Madison Square Garden in November.
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The 23-year-old Haney, who touched down in Melbourne on Thursday, hasn’t fought outside of the US since 2017 and Kambosos expects it to be a factor in the result.
“He doesn't know [what he’s in for] because his biggest fights have been in front of like 1,500 people,” Kambosos said.
“He really doesn't bring anything to the table except for that fake belt that he has, that half a piece.
“I'm happy you're here now. No more complaints. No more excuses. I'm just ready to do the business against you.”
Despite Kambosos’ confidence, the bookies have Haney as a slight favourite.
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Although the Aussie’s self-belief - that same self-belief that had him telling anyone who’d listen he’d be champ one day - remains unwavering.
“The underdog status is something I've gone with my whole career, every single fight, so they can have me as the underdog but I'm still the top dog and I'll continue to reign as the top dog on June 5th,” he said.
“He’s a good fighter, I'm not going to take that away from him.
“He's a good fighter but I do everything better. I’m too fast and too sharp and too strong.
“My footwork, my defence, my chin, my stamina, my conditioning, my ring IQ, everything I do, and he will find out the hard way on June 5th, like they all have.”
